iPhone not charging or charging slowly? Here are ten fixes you can try along with the reasons why your iPhone isn’t charging.
The inability of an iPhone to charge is one of the scariest and most annoying issues. But don’t worry; there are a few fairly commonplace causes for this that are typically simple to resolve.
However, keep in mind that even something as basic as charging your phone requires a lot of parts to work together; as a result, you should methodically test each component to rule out potential issues one at a time in order to identify the issue and fix the problem.
Read on for ten fixes to fix an iPhone not charging, whether you’re experiencing problems with one charging cable, several cables or chargers, or intermittent issues. Learn How to Fix Emergency Override iPhone Charger.
Why the iPhone is Not Charging?
There are four usual suspects you need to watch out for when you are unable to charge your iPhone.
- Damaged power adapter/Lightning Cable
- Uncertified charger
- Dirt that may have clogged up the charging port
- Bad charging habit
In addition to these primary offenders, your iPhone’s charging issue could also be caused by unheard-of software bugs, incompatible cases, or even liquid damage. We are going to take into account each possible cause and resolve the problem using viable solutions accordingly.
Turn It Off and Back on Again
Anytime you are troubleshooting a problem, it helps to restart the system and see if that fixes the issue. Restart your phone to see if there is still enough battery life, and then try charging it once more.
Note: This step won’t help you if your phone’s battery is extremely low—under 5%—or if it’s already completely dead.
Clean the Lightning Port
Make sure that the Lightning port on your iPhone is not blocked by debris and dirt before troubleshooting any software- or hardware-related charging issues. If it’s been a while since you cleaned the Lightning port of your iOS device, the port is likely to be packed with pocket lint which could be preventing the connector from making a strong and stable connection.
Restart the iPhone once the port has been cleaned.
- On iPhone without a home button: The power off slider will appear on the screen once you press and hold the volume up/down and side buttons. Now, drag the power off slider to shut down your iOS device. Press the side button to turn on your device after a brief delay.
- On iPhone with a home button: The power off slider will appear if you press and hold the side/top button. After that, slide the switch to turn off your device. Hold down the side/top button while waiting a short while for your device to reboot.
Plug your iPhone into a power source after it has restarted to see if charging has started. You’ve got the situation under control if it has.
Make Sure Your Charger is Not Damaged
Make sure your charger is not damaged if your iPhone still won’t charge even after you’ve cleaned the Lightning port. Examine the vicinity of the connector in great detail. If it is disjointed or appears to be frayed out, use another Lightning cable.
Keep Liquid Damage in Mind
Few people are aware that liquid damage can also contribute to an iPhone’s charging problem. It happens because liquid damage frequently shorts out the connections in the charging port, which prevents charging. So, before connecting the charger if you dropped your iOS device in water, make sure to dry it out first.
Remember that even a small amount of water inside the port can cause the connections to short, damaging the ability to charge and possibly causing even worse issues.
Inspect Your Cable
If you’ve had an iPhone long enough, you’ve probably seen a broken or frayed cable — the rubberized outer sheath breaks from repeated bending, and the wires become exposed. Throw away your cable and buy a new one if it looks like that and isn’t charging your device properly.
But because of the abuse Lightning cables endure, issues are sometimes difficult to see. Even though they are still enclosed in the sheath, wires can occasionally break. And cheap third-party Lightning cables have been known to stop functioning on their own, frequently as a result of a failing power regulator chip inside the cable.
Since there is no reliable way to visually inspect any of this, the best way to test your Lightning cable is to simply try another one; ideally, a fully-authorized cable from Apple that is brand-new.
Check Where Your Phone is Plugged In
You ought to examine your power source in addition to the lengthy list of potential issues. Make sure the computer is fully awake (not in sleep or hibernation mode) before charging your iPhone from a USB port on it. If the USB port you were using has failed, try another one as well. Connect it directly to a USB port on the computer rather than trying to charge it from a USB hub or keyboard.
Use an AC adapter similar to the one that came with your iPhone to plug it directly into a wall outlet if the problem persists. If you’ve been using an AC adapter the entire time, try a different one; take one from a friend who has an iPhone, or use the one that came with an iPad.
Check for Software Updates
Your phone might not be charging if you’re not using the most recent version of iOS. When your phone is operating normally, software updates might not seem important, but they help prevent a variety of issues and even enhance performance.
Here’s how to check for an update on your iPhone and install it:
- Tap Settings and then General.
- Tap on Software Update. The most recent iOS update is now being sought by your iPhone.
- If an update is available, tap Install Now.
Try Resetting and Restoring Your iPhone
Sometimes performing a factory reset on your iPhone can help when you are having issues.
A reset will restore it to its factory default settings and, hopefully, solve any issues you may be experiencing. It would be worthwhile to try this last-ditch DIY solution to resolve the problem.
Check MFi Compatibility
If you are getting the “Accessory May Not Be Supported” error repeatedly, there is a high chance that the charger is not Licensed by MFi (Made for iPhone and iPad). Your iPhone’s charging problem is caused by this incompatibility.
A common cause of overheating issues is the relatively slow charging speed of uncertified or fake chargers. Additionally, uncertified chargers run the risk of breaking your device due to a lack of reliable protection against hazards like short circuits, overcurrent, and overcharging. So, make sure your charger has MFi certification.
Take Your iPhone in for Service
It’s likely that there is a problem with the iPhone itself if none of these troubleshooting techniques succeed in getting your phone working again. If you need service, you should get in touch with Apple or visit an Apple store.
Conclusion: Fix Your iPhone Not Charging Problem
Though the “iPhone won’t charge issue” seems to be very annoying and confusing, there are actually a bunch of simple things you can do to fix the problem.
Your iPhone should now be charging once more, so there you go. As was already mentioned, you can usually fix this problem by cleaning the port, using a reliable charger, and giving the device a quick reboot. So, make sure to keep these useful hacks at hand to deal with this common issue.
FAQs
What to Do If the iPhone Charging Stops at 80%?
If you’ve ever noticed that your iPhone stops charging at 80%, that’s actually a function called optimized battery charging that slows down the aging of batteries. But it is possible to turn off the feature. Head to the Settings app > Battery > Battery Health > and toggle off Optimized Battery Charging.
How Do I Clean My iPhone Charging Port?
Using a can of compressed air is the safest way to clean your iPhone’s port. Apply a few quick bursts of air while holding the can upright but not too close to the port. Small particles should start to exit the phone’s charging port. You can also use this method to clean your AirPods and AirPods case.
Will Apple Fix My Charging Port for Free?
Apple may or may not be able to repair the charge port. When you turn in a damaged unit, they typically just replace it for you at a lower cost. You will probably be responsible for paying for the replacement if it is no longer covered by a warranty and has no insurance.
